Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Infant Support Device
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to baby products and more particularly
to a device
capable of retaining a baby in a prone position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It has been recommended by the Pediatric Society that infants and babies
should always sleep on
their backs and not in a prone position, to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome
(SIDS). However since the infants are kept for long periods of time on their
backs, they can
develop plagiocephaly or cranial disfiguration otherwise referred to as
flattening of the back of
the skull. Therefore, it was further recommended by pediatricians that babies
need to spend time
on their tummy known as "tummy time" in a prone position beginning at two
months of age.
Some suggest that "tummy time" has to be practiced from day one. Besides
preventing cranial
disfiguration, tummy time also promotes the development of muscular strength
in the neck, back,
shoulders and arms. Further it develops coordination, motor skills and head
control required for
rolling over and crawling.
Various baby products were developed in order to address the need for "tummy
time" while
reducing the involvement of the caregivers in the process. The requirements
for those devices
were to keep the baby in the prone position in a safe manner while preventing
the baby from
rolling on its back. It is also beneficial to raise the baby's head so the
baby can observe the
surroundings and not feel abandoned.
At some stage babies learn to turn onto their backs from the tummy position by
using their head
weight, making it difficult to keep them in the prone position for the
required tummy time
periods. Therefore it was still a need to provide a device to keep baby in the
prone position and
prevent rollover. The following patents illustrate various designs of support
structures addressing
the issue, however each of those designs has various deficiencies.
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U.S. Patent No. 4,566,449 issued to Smith teaches an elevated infant
positioner restricting an
infant's movement in lateral and vertical positions. However, this positioner
does not prevent
the infant from rolling over during the "tummy time" period.
U.S. Patent No. 5,261,134 issued to Matthews, teaches a portable pillow for
infant support. This
pillow does not prevent an infant from rolling over to its back and further
does not prevent the
infant from sliding down from the pillow.
U.S. Patent No. 5,675,853 issued to Linge, teaches an infant seat cushion
comprising a foam
cushion with an optional restraint for the infant. This device comprises
several parts that make its
operation cumbersome especially the restraining and the releasing functions.
U.S. Patent No. 5,546,620 issued to Matthews, teaches a baby support
comprising a mat and a
cushion to support baby's chest in a prone position. This device, however,
does not prevent baby
from flipping over and from sliding down from the cushion.
U.S. Patent No. 6,626,487 issued to Buitendach, teaches a baby chair that
supports a baby in a
seated position. This device however is not suitable for "tummy time" due to
its design.
U.S. Patent No. 7,117,553 issued to Fairchild et al., teaches an apparatus for
support and
development of an infant, comprising a mat with head and foot portions. This
apparatus does not
prevent the infant from rolling over and therefore the baby requires constant
parent attention
while utilizing this apparatus.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0133881 to Vrbas et al., teaches an inclined
pillow with
fastening strips to hold a baby in supine or prone positions. This device
positions a baby in a
confusing awkwardly elevated position.
As it is apparent from a review of the prior art, there is still a need for
simple and safe device for
keeping a baby in a prone position.
It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a baby support
device which is
capable of retaining a baby in a prone position while preventing the baby from
flipping over.
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It is further an object of the invention to provide a device which is easy to
operate without
restraining straps.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a device with
inclined planes to keep baby's
head elevated.
It is further an object of the invention to provide such a device made of a
molding foam that is
strong enough to restrain the baby and soft enough to be comfortable.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide such a device which
is easy to clean and
maintain.
Further and other object of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art when
considering the following summery of the invention and the more detailed
description of the
preferred embodiment illustrated herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the baby support device is to make the experience for the
infant and the parents
more enjoyable while providing adequate stomach time, to increase the
necessary muscle
stimulation concentrating mainly on the neck, upper body, arms and hands for
future
development and growth. This product will also help decrease the chances of
the infant getting
cranial asymmetry otherwise known as flattening of the baby's skull at the
back of the head. This
product is designed to cradle the infant on their stomach in a soft, non-
toxic, environmentally
friendly surrounding while laying on an incline with the infants head and
upper body being at the
higher end. There is also a leg grip which prevents the baby from sliding down
from the original
position and also restrains the legs and hips in such a way that the infant
cannot roll over or out
of the product.
The baby support device has been designed for children from birth to crawling
age. The unique
design enables babies to be propped up on their stomachs on an incline, which
helps reduce the
frustration babies incur during this learning experience. Once babies are able
to roll over they do
not spend any time on their tummies anymore and the support device of the
invention allows
them to spend time on their stomach without rolling over or getting out of it.
Since they are
propped up they are able to see the surrounding environment and play with
toys.
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It is therefore a primary aspect of the invention to provide an infant support
device for
supporting an infant in a prone position. The device comprises a base with a
front, a back, a top,
a bottom and two side members, said base having a support surface extending
between the side
members on the top of the base. The support surface is defined by two
portions: (I) a body
support surface disposed proximate the front of the support device and
terminating adjacent the
front of the device, and (II) a leg support surface extending rearwardly from
the terminus of the
body support surface toward the back of the device. The device further has a
grip for retaining
the posterior side of the legs of the infant and extending upwardly from the
support surface
between the side members. While in use, an infant is supported in a prone
position on the support
surface between the side members, and the legs of the infant are supported on
the leg support
surface and are retained by said grip to minimize infant rollover toward a
supine position.
In another aspect of the invention there provided is the infant support device
wherein the body
support is inclined relative to the leg support surface and to the bottom of
the base. Preferably
the body support surface angle is more then 0 and less then 45 degrees,
preferably 10 to 30
degrees relatively to the base. Further the leg support surface is also
inclined and its angle is 0 to
30 degrees preferably 0 to 10 degrees relatively to the base. It is further
preferable that the body
support surface angle is 10 to 30 degrees and the leg support surface angle is
0 to 10 degrees.
Preferably the infant support device is made of a material safe for use with a
baby, selected
from: plastics, polymers, rubbers, resin, cork, wood, composite material or
combinations thereof,
suitable for supporting a baby. The device is preferably manufactured from
soft yet supportive
material. Preferably the material is plastic, polymer or polymer composite
material. More
preferably the baby support device is made of suitable polyurethane foams, low
density
polyurethane foams, EVA's (ethyl vinyl acetates), TPO's (polyolefins), TPR's
(thermoplastic
rubbers), TPU's (thermoplastic polyurethanes), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or
combinations
thereof. Preferably the baby support device is made of a foam material having
a hardness
between 10 - 40 Asker C. Further preferably the foam material is selected
from: EVA (ethyl
vinyl acetate), TPO's (polyolefin), TPR's (thermoplastic rubber), TPU's
(thermoplastic
polyurethane), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or a combinations thereof.
In another aspect of the invention the infant support device includes a grip
being generally T
shaped having an upper part and a lower part, wherein in use the infant's legs
are inserted below
the upper part of the leg grip while the lower part of the grip remains
between the legs of an
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infant, wherein the grip prevents the infant from slipping down the support
surface and from
rolling over from the prone position.
In yet a further aspect of the invention for the infant support device, the
side members are
contoured inwardly to support the body of a baby. Further preferably the body
support portion
also has a depression capturing the tummy of a baby.
In yet a further aspect of the invention the infant support device is used for
development of the
muscles of the neck and upper body of a baby. The device may be also used for
elimination or
reduction of the effect of acid reflux in infants.
In still another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of
developing neck, back, and
arm muscles of a baby by positioning a baby in an one-piece infant support
device for supporting
an infant in a prone position, comprising a base with a front, a back, a top,
a bottom and two side
members, said base having a support surface extending between the side members
on the top of
the base. The support surface is defined by two portions: (I) a body support
surface disposed
proximate the front of the support device and terminating adjacent the front
of the device, and
(11) a leg support surface extending rearwardly from the terminus of the body
support surface
toward the back of the device. The body support is further inclined 10 to 30
degrees and the leg
support is inclined 0 to 10 degrees. The device further comprises a grip for
retaining the posterior
side of the legs of the infant and extends upwardly from the support surface
between the side
members, wherein the grip is generally T shaped. In use the infant is
supported in a prone
position on the support surface between the side members, and the legs are
retained on the leg
support surface by the grip to minimize infant rollover toward a supine
position. The support
device is made of extruded foam material selected from: EVA (ethyl vinyl
acetate), TPO's
(polyolefin), TPR's (thermoplastic rubber), TPU's (thermoplastic
polyurethane), PVC (polyvinyl
chloride) or combinations thereof. Preferably the support device is made of
extruded foam
material comprising: EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) and TPO's (polyolefin) with
hardness of 10 - 40
Asker C. Most preferably the body support and the side members of the device
are contoured to
the body of an infant.
In yet a further aspect of the invention the baby support device is one-piece
The device further
provides superior support and follows the natural contours of the body shape
yet allows full
range of movement of the mid and upper torso. This unique design eliminates
the infant from
falling or rolling out and eliminates sliding down the incline.
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According to a primary aspect of the invention there is provided an infant
support device for
supporting an infant in a prone position, comprising a base with a front, a
back, a top, a bottom
and two side members, said base having a support surface extending between the
side members
on the top of the base; the support surface being defined by two portions: (1)
a body support
surface disposed proximate the front of the support device and terminating
adjacent the front of
the device, and (II) a leg support surface extending rearwardly from terminus
of the body support
surface toward the back of the device; and having a grip for retaining the
posterior side of the
legs of the infant and extending upwardly from the support surface between the
side members;
wherein an infant is supported in a prone position on the support surface
between the side
members, and the legs are supported on the leg support surface and are
retained by said grip to
minimize infant rollover toward a supine position.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided the infant support
device wherein the body
support surface is inclined relatively to the leg support surface and to the
bottom of the base.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided the device wherein the
body support angle is
more then 0 and less then 45 degrees, preferably 10 to 30 degree and the leg
support angle is 0 to
30 degrees and preferably 0 to 10 degrees.
Preferably in the device the body support angle is 10 to 30 degrees and the
leg support angle is 0
to 10 degrees.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided the infant support
device of wherein the grip
is generally T shaped having an upper part and a lower part, wherein in use
the infant's legs are
inserted below the upper part of the legs grip while the lower part of the
grip remains between
the legs of an infant, wherein the grip prevents the infant from slipping down
the support surface
and from rolling over from the prone position.
In still another aspect of the invention the infant support device is made of
a plastic, polymer,
rubber, resin, cork, wood, composite material, or a combination thereof,
suitable for supporting
an infant.
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Preferably the device is made of a foam material selected from: polyurethane
foams, low density
polyurethane foam, ethyl vinyl acetates, polyolefins, thermoplastic rubbers,
thermoplastic
polyurethanes, polyvinyl chloride or combinations thereof.
Preferably the infant support device is made of a material having a hardness
between 10 - 40
Asker C.
In yet another aspect of the invention for the infant support device the side
members are
contoured inwardly to support the body of an infant.
In yet another aspect of the invention for the infant support device the body
support portion
further has a depression supporting the tummy of an infant.
Preferably the device is one-piece.
In still another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of
developing neck, back, and
arm muscles of an infant:
positioning an infant in an infant support device, comprising a base with a
front, a back, a top, a
bottom and two side members, said base having a support surface extending
between the side
members on the top of the base;
the support surface being defined by two portions: (I) a body support surface
disposed proximate
the front of the support device and terminating adjacent the front of the
device, and (II) a leg
support surface extending rearwardly from terminus of the body support surface
toward the back
of the device;
and having a grip for retaining the posterior side of the legs of the infant
and extending upwardly
from the support surface between the side members;
wherein an infant is supported in a prone position on the support surface
between the side
members, and the legs are supported on the leg support surface and are
retained by said grip to
minimize infant rollover toward a supine position.
In yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided the above mentioned
method wherein
the body support is inclined from 10 to 30 degrees and the leg support is
inclined 0 to 10
degrees.
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In yet a further aspect of the invention the support device of the above
mentioned method is
made of extruded foam material selected from: polyurethane foams, a low
density polyurethane
foam, ethyl vinyl acetates, polyolefins, thermoplastic rubbers, thermoplastic
polyurethanes,
polyvinyl chloride or combinations thereof.
Preferably the support device is made of extruded foam material comprising:
EVA (ethyl vinyl
acetate) and TPO's (polyolefin) with hardness of 10-40 Asker C.
In yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided the above mentioned
method wherein
the body support and the side members of the device are contoured to the body
of an infant.
Preferably the device of the above mentioned method is one-piece.
In still another aspect of the invention there is provided a use of the infant
support device for an
elimination or reduction of the effect of acid reflux in infants.
In still another aspect of the invention there is provided an one-piece infant
support device for
supporting an infant in a prone position, comprising a base with a front, a
back, a top, a bottom
and two side members, said base having a support surface extending between the
side members
on the top of the base;
the support surface being defined by two portions: (1) a body support surface
disposed proximate
the front of the support device and terminating adjacent the front of the
device, and (II) a leg
support surface extending rearwardly from terminus of the body support surface
toward the back
of the device;
and having a grip for retaining the posterior side of the legs of the infant
and extending upwardly
from the support surface between the side members, wherein the grip is
generally T shaped;
wherein the body support surface is inclined 10 to 30 degrees and the legs
support surface is
inclined 0 to 10 degrees;
the support device being made of extruded foam material comprising: EVA (ethyl
vinyl acetate)
and TPO's (polyolefin) with hardness of 10-40 Asker C;
the body support and the side members of the device being contoured to the
body of an infant;
wherein an infant is supported in a prone position on the support surface
between the side
members, and the legs are retained on the leg support surface by said grip to
minimize infant
rollover toward a supine position.
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Experts recommend about 30 minutes of tummy time a day for infants in order to
help nurture
and encourage fine and gross motor skills, especially those skills that lead
to crawling. The
device of this invention encourages babies to push up on their hands and arms
and helps to
develop strong shoulder, arm and hand muscles required for grasping and
reaching.
Surprisingly, no other product on the market offers the stability and support
to ensure the baby is
not going to slide down, roll out or off of the product. Its unique design
prevents these common
mishaps. The one piece design makes it simple to manufacture and operate. The
material is non-
allergic, non-toxic and easy to clean.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the baby support device illustrated
in a first
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates the top view of the baby support device.
Figure 3 illustrates the side view, cross section of the baby support device.
The cross section is
made through the line LL of Figure 2.
Figure 4 illustrates the perspective side view of the baby support device in
cross section, through
the line LL of Figure 2.
Figure 5 illustrates the back view of the baby support device in cross
section, through the line
MM of Figure 2.
Figure 6 illustrates the back view of the baby support device.
Figure 7 illustrates the front view of the baby support device.
Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view of the baby support device for a
second embodiment of
the invention.
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Figure 9 illustrates the side view of the baby support device of the second
embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 10 illustrates the top view of the baby support device of the second
embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 11 illustrates the side view of the baby support device of the second
embodiment of the
invention shown in cross section, through the line KK of Figure 10.
Figure 12 illustrates the back view of the baby support device of the second
embodiment of the
invention shown in cross section, through the line NN of Figure 10.
Figure 13 illustrates the front view of the baby support device of the second
embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 14 illustrates the back view of the baby support device of the second
embodiment of the
invention.
Figure 15 illustrates the perspective bottom view of the baby support device
of the second
embodiment of the invention.
Figure 16 illustrates the bottom view of the baby support device of the second
embodiment of
the invention.
Figure 17 illustrates the perspective view of the baby support device in use.
Figure 18 illustrates the front view of the baby support device in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a first embodiment for a baby support
device including
two side members 20 and 21, a leg grip 40 with an upper part 41 and a lower
part 42, a support
surface 30 including of two portions, the leg support portion 31 and the body
support portion 32.
The body support portion 32 also has a depression 33. The base 50 is wide
enough to ensure
stability of the device.
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Referring now to Figure 2 there is illustrated a top view of the baby support
device which shows
the depression 33, the support 30 and the side members 20 and 21. Figure 2
illustrates the
preferred embodiment of the invention while side members 20 and 21 are curved
inwardly to
ergonomically support the baby from each side while the leg grip 40 stops the
baby from sliding
down the incline of the support portion and also prevents the baby from
rolling over.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrates the cross section of the baby support device
through its longitude and
illustrates the position of the leg grip on the support device. In Figure 3
two angles a and 0 can
be seen while a is the angle between the body support portion 32 to the base
50 and the angle R
is the angle of the leg support portion 31 to the base 50. Preferably angle a
is equal to or greater
than angle P. Angle a may vary from 0 to 45 degrees. In a preferred embodiment
the angle is
between 10 to 45 degrees and in a further preferred embodiment between 10 to
30 degrees. The
angle 0 may vary from 0 to 45 degrees and preferably from 0 to 10 degrees.
Figure 5 illustrates the cross section through the line LL of Figure 2 and
illustrates the position of
the leg grip between the side members and also illustrates the beginning of
the depression 33 on
the body support portion 32.
Figure 6 illustrates the front view of the baby support device. Figure 7
illustrates the back view
of the baby support device.
Figures 8 to 14 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention wherein the
baby support device
is further shaped aesthetically, while maintaining all of the essential
elements of the first
embodiment of the device. Figure 11 illustrates a cross sectional side view
through line KK of
the Figure 10 and Figure 12 illustrates the cross sectional view through line
NN of the Figure 10.
Figures 15 and 16 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein
the inner part of
the baby support device is partially void. This embodiment allows saving
material required for
manufacturing of the device while keeping the rigidity and stability of the
structure. There are
various ways known in the art for the preparation of polymer moulds with
voids, therefore this
embodiment of the bottom view of the device is provided here as a non limiting
example. In yet
another embodiments, the device can be manufactured without any voids at all
at its bottom part.
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The use of the baby support device is apparent reading from the views of
Figures 17 and 18. The
baby is positioned as shown while its legs are inserted under the leg grip 40
wherein the left leg
is positioned to the left of the lower part 42 of the leg grip 40. The right
leg on the right side of
the leg support while the upper part 41 of the leg grip is located above both
legs of the baby. The
upper part 41 of the leg grip 40 grips the posterior part of the feet, leg or
thigh of the baby,
depending on the size of the baby, and prevents the vertical or rotational
movement of the baby,
while still providing free range of movement and full body support. In this
way the body of the
baby is propped by the body support 32 with the baby's stomach is inside the
depression 33. The
head and the arms of the baby's body will rise above the front edge 34 of the
body support
portion 30 allowing the baby to observe its surroundings and also play with
toys positioned in
front of the baby.
The side members 20 and 21 have an ergonomic curvature that support the body
of the baby
providing more support and comfort. This design does not require any
restraining straps or
fasteners attached to the support device and provides the positioning of the
baby and removal of
the baby from the support device.
The baby is kept from rolling over by the leg grip 40 and specifically its
upper part 41 that
retains the legs in separated positions. Otherwise the baby is free to move
and to use its arms and
hands to play with toys beside the support device. Furthermore the baby can
push itself above the
front edge of the support device for developing its back, neck, arm and hand
muscles.
The support device is made of baby friendly, non-toxic material preferably
foam having a
density for supporting and restraining an infant. The device preferably has a
smooth outer skin to
enable easy cleaning. The material may be selected from suitable plastics,
polymers, resins,
rubber, cork, wood or composite material or a combination thereof,
polyurethane foams, a low
density polyurethane foam, or other foams known in the art and typically used
in baby's products
which are non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Preferable types of material
that can be used
is a PopFoamTM material comprising EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) and TPO
(thermoplastic
polyolefin). The foam may be produced by an injection molding process
preferably by injection
molding with micro cell cross linking agents. The material must be approved
for safe use with
babies and infants.
The dimensions of the unit is fitted to the range size of infants but
preferably the width of the
support device is 10 to 20 inches, the length is 10 to 25 inches and the
height is between 4 and 12
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inches. The slope of the body support is between 0 to 45 degrees and the slope
of the leg support
is between 0 to 30 degrees. The distance of the narrowest part of the side
members is between 5
to 15 inches and the narrowest distance between the leg support and the side
members is between
1 to 6 inches.
In yet another embodiment of the invention (not shown) the upper part 41 of
the leg grip 40 may
extend toward the side members 20 and 21 or be attached to ether one or both
side members.
The following lists some further features of the invention and its benefits
over the current
products on the market. The product of the invention is preferably an one-
piece device, while
other products on the market are designed with multiple parts and pieces and
seem to be bigger
and bulkier.
The unique design of the leg grip prevents downward movement or any rolling
out of the unit
while the baby still has free range of movement and full support. None of the
products on the
market offer this type of leg grip.
Several devices on the market use some type of strap, belt or restraint which
would impose more
restrictions of movement than the current device which does not require any
strap attachments
but still prevents any undesirable movement yet provides full range of motion.
Some products provide improper and awkward positioning of the baby according
to the design.
The device of the invention is streamlined and follows the natural contours of
the body providing
comfortable positioning of a baby. Some known designs impede or restrict
movement and
motion needed to promote proper development of the baby while the design of
the current
invention does not restrict the movement of the upper body of a baby promoting
the development
of the upper body muscles.
The preferred material is PopFoamTM. The basic composition of the material to
be used in the
product is EVA ("ethylene-vinyl acetate")/ TPO ("thermoplastic polyolefin").
The process is
defined as injection molding foam with micro cell cross linking agents. The
material of the
whole product is soft and comforting to the touch. The hardness / durometer of
the material is
10-45 Asker C preferably 30 to 40 Asker C measured by the method ASTM D-2240.
This makes
it very safe for the infant and comforting to the parents. It cleans easily
and can be wiped off. No
removable cover or sheet is needed. The material is preferably non-toxic and
is specially
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formulated to be antibacterial. Preferably all the edges of the device are
soft and rounded so there
are no sharp edges or corners to hurt the baby or the parent.
The product can help infants with cranial asymmetry and can be used to avoid
this flattening of
the back of the head by using daily. Primarily this condition is caused
because the infants spend
the majority of the first few months on their backs. This problem could be
related to SIDS where
according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and Canadian Pediatric Society
the safest
position for the infant to sleep is on their backs, which in early months of
the baby could be up to
18 hrs or more per day.
The baby supporting device is also very effective for promoting and helping
develop strength in
the hands, arms, shoulders, neck and back. It encourages babies to push up
with their arms and it
allows the babies to see the surrounding environment and interact. It also
helps to develop fine
and gross motor skills that are both essential and necessary for growth and
proper development.
Not enough time on the stomach can delay these skills and over time can lead
to serious issues.
The device helps to eliminate the frustration infants encounter for tummy time
by positioning
them in this incline.
Further the device of the invention can also help eliminate or reduce the
effects of acid reflux in
infants.
Various attachment may be added later to the final product. For example it
would be possible to
add a removable "u" shaped arm with toys allowing the infant to play with toys
on the u shaped
arm or on the ground in front of the product.
It will be further understood that there are details of the present disclosure
which may be
changed without departing from the scope of the invention. The foregoing
description is for the
purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.
